Chapter 73: Actually, I like it

“…I really don’t think this is right.”

A single sentence from Sua.

A brief silence followed.

Sua had braced herself for the backlash she was sure would come, but an unexpected situation unfolded. Instead, the two people in front of her looked relieved.

Before long, each of them spoke.

“Right? Not doing this would be too much.”

“Well, Sua must have at least heard of Director Go Tae-min.”

Sua took a moment to process the situation.

‘They didn’t even consider that I might refuse.’

In Kim Yi-seo and Seo Yeon-ju’s minds, the possibility of rejecting the script simply did not exist. No matter how Sua reacted, they assumed acceptance was a given.

‘Hmm… Well, they did say it was a huge opportunity.’

Sua could understand why.

Kim Yi-seo had repeatedly emphasized that Director Go Tae-min was a “big catch.” The idea that a rookie like Sua would turn down such an offer seemed unimaginable to them.

But she couldn’t let herself be swept away by the atmosphere and stay silent.

…Especially when the script in question was rated Grade 7.

“No. What I mean is…”

After glancing at the two cautiously, Sua continued.

“I really don’t plan on participating.”

Once again, silence.

Kim Yi-seo and Seo Yeon-ju exchanged glances and nodded.

“Ah, so that’s what you meant. You’re not doing this project.”

“I see. So, Sua’s not taking this on.”

Then, suddenly—

“…!”

It was as if an invisible bolt of lightning had struck.

Their eyes widened in shock, and in an instant, they closed the distance, surrounding Sua from both sides.

“Sua, Sua, what did you just say?”

“Sua, what was that again?”

Feeling somewhat guilty, Sua simply repeated herself. She wasn’t going to do it.

Kim Yi-seo’s expression collapsed in devastation.

“Sua, how could you…?”

“Sua, do you not realize how amazing Director Go is? People often compare his box office success to Director Kim Jun-ki’s, but in the industry, their reputations are completely different!”

Seo Yeon-ju quickly joined in.

Originally, Seo Yeon-ju had only been instructed by Kim Yi-seo to subtly encourage Sua. But at this moment, her reaction was genuine, not an act.

The reason was simple.

Even from Seo Yeon-ju’s perspective, this was an incredible opportunity.

“That perverted trash director and Director Go Tae-min are on entirely different levels. He’s highly respected and well-loved in the industry. Plus, he’s unbelievably hardworking—there are frequent sightings of him everywhere.”

“Hmm… I do believe you both.”

Sua awkwardly twisted the ends of her hair.

“I understand how incredible he is.”

Truthfully, she was one of the people who wanted to do this.

A legendary director’s film! Of course, she wanted in! So much!

After finishing Special Task Force 808, Sua had no concrete plans for her next move. To build the perfect filmography, she needed to fill that gap.

And wouldn’t it be perfect if that gap was filled with a masterpiece by a renowned director?

But the problem was the information from her privilege.

Grade 7. The rating was simply too shocking.

‘Okay, let’s say I accept that it’s Grade 7. I don’t, but let’s just assume for now. But what’s with the “insufficient implementation elements”?’

“Insufficient implementation elements.”

That was a serious issue.

No matter how low a script’s rating was, it was usually possible to experience it. But this one wasn’t even functional. The script itself was so incomplete that it couldn’t be executed.

In other words, an unfinished script.

‘When was the last time I saw something with “insufficient implementation elements”? Oh…’

Sua recalled a distant memory.

‘It was when I first gained my privilege—the time I accidentally killed the chef in that experience. That script had the same issue.’

As soon as she remembered that, a light bulb went off in her head.

‘Wait… Could it be that they’re securing the cast first and filling in the script later? Maybe it starts as a Grade 7, but as it gets completed, the rating increases?’

It seemed like a plausible theory.

After all, Sua had already experienced this before—where her involvement in a project had led to an increase in the script’s rating.

Of course, it would be best if the script started off at a high rating, but if the final result was promising, it might still be worth it. In the end, enduring hardship would lead to great rewards.

Curious, Sua decided to ask directly.

“Excuse me, Representative.”

“Yes, Sua?”

“For movies, is casting done first? Do they complete the script only after the cast is finalized?”

“Hm…”

Kim Yi-seo thoughtfully rested her chin on her hand.

“You’re asking whether Crescendo from Tomorrow is still in the storyboard phase or if the script is already complete and they’re just looking for actors. Did I understand you correctly?”

“Yes.”

That was exactly it. Sua nodded.

But the response she got was unexpected.

Kim Yi-seo shook her head.

“The script for Crescendo from Tomorrow was completed a long time ago. It’s already undergone multiple revisions, and I’d say it’s nearly perfect now.”

“…What?”

“There was even a public audition. Someone you know—Park Do-hee—attended, though she didn’t make it.”

“…?”

Sua’s thoughts grew even more tangled.

‘The script is finished… but it’s still Grade 7?’

How was that possible?

‘A “legendary” director is supposed to be amazing, right? Aren’t they called legendary because they’re incredible? Then why do the ones that come to me always…’

Honestly, Sua was grateful to have received the offer.

A director whom Kim Yi-seo had repeatedly emphasized as a “big catch” had even adjusted the schedule to accommodate her.

But…?

Grade 7…?

‘Even that criminal Director Kim Jun-ki had a Grade 6 script…?’

So this was worse than that garbage director’s work?!

‘At least that one was playable…’

Even that criminal’s script had been available for experience, but Director Go Tae-min’s work was completely off-limits. Sua quickly made a decision.

She understood that Director Go Tae-min was extraordinary, but in life, mere emotions couldn’t justify giving something a Grade 7 rating.

Yes, the Arctic fox is cold. Sua, stay rational…

At that moment, Kim Yi-seo tightly grasped Sua’s hand.

“Sua, please think about it one more time. Are you sure this is the right choice?”

Sua glanced sideways toward the script.

That was enough. It was a skill she had gained as her proficiency improved—now, she didn’t even need to visit the hotel in person to check the general information.

She could simply confirm it through a holographic window.

It was as if the script had a speech bubble attached to it.

[‘Crescendo, Starting Tomorrow’]

Insufficient implementation elements.

Grade 7.

Crescendo.

A musical term meaning ‘gradually louder.’

‘…Does it mean it will gradually fail?’

The thought suddenly crossed Sua’s mind.

Anyway, after reviewing it again, she was sure it was related to music, which made her even more disappointed. It would have been great if this could have been the key to graduating from her ‘musician’ trait.

Oh.

Then, another thought suddenly hit her.

‘Come to think of it, which role am I playing?’

She had yet to check which role she would be assigned.

Meanwhile, Kim Yi-seo was explaining the effects and benefits of Director Go Tae-min’s work to Sua. Was she some kind of medicine peddler selling wild ginseng?

“Sua, you’ve been searching for a script related to music, haven’t you? This is a perfect opportunity. No, there won’t be a better opportunity than this. I guarantee it. Go Tae-min is a true master.”

“I understand. More importantly, what’s my role?”

“Your role?”

Kim Yi-seo suddenly smacked her forehead.

“Oh, my mind! I didn’t hear it directly. But we can figure it out from the context. It’s probably the role that Do-hee interviewed for. It should be quite significant. The role’s name was…”

Surprisingly, the answer came from Seo Yeon-ju.

“Kim So-hee, I think? Kim So-hee. The one who plays the piano well.”

Kim So-hee. Confirmed.

Flash!

Sua immediately jumped into the special privilege space. It took only a moment for her to rush into the phone booth and search for Kim So-hee.

And she was able to find a clue.

“Huh?”

001 – Kim So-hee (Unavailable/Inadequate for Experience)

002 – Park Min-seo

003 – Lee Seung

‘Kim So-hee is unavailable for experience?’

Since she was marked as 001, she was likely the most important role, yet she was listed as inadequate. At least the reason was clear.

This role was making the script unstable.

Sua immediately left the special privilege space.

Flash!

Her vision instantly returned to normal. Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Yi-seo were still staring at her with sparkling eyes.

“Sua.”

Kim Yi-seo blinked.

“Why? What are you thinking right now?”

Taking a deep breath, Sua responded.

“I’m absolutely not doing this. No way.”

A few hours later.

Kim Yi-seo picked up her phone with a devastated expression.

After a few dial tones, the person on the other end picked up immediately.

“Hello? Representative Kim?”

“Director Go, I’m sorry for calling so late.”

The person on the other end was none other than Director Go Tae-min.

“Yes. What’s the matter?”

“Well…”

Kim Yi-seo didn’t usually hesitate with her words, but this time, she had no choice. It felt as if the words were getting stuck in her throat.

For her, this was understandable.

How could she possibly say that they were rejecting ‘Crescendo, Starting Tomorrow’? It felt like kicking away a pile of gold.

“Um…”

At that moment—

“Sua refused, didn’t she?”

Director Go Tae-min, having guessed the situation, got straight to the point, and Kim Yi-seo sighed heavily before admitting it.

“…Yes. Director, I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay. Let’s meet in two days.”

“Huh?”

“We were supposed to meet in two days, right? Let’s talk then.”

“What? But Sua already said she’s refusing…”

“Oh, that was her rejecting the project, not the meeting. I’d still love to hear her thoughts. So, I’ll see you in two days as planned.”

At this point, Kim Yi-seo felt a deep sense of unease.

This was different from Kim Jun-ki.

It wasn’t the kind of attitude that said, “How dare you reject my work? If you’re so confident, say that to my face.”

No. In fact, what Kim Yi-seo sensed felt closer to the opposite.

Director Go Tae-min seemed even more excited now—his anticipation had only grown after this conversation.